Module 10: Grocery & Food Delivery Apps
What you will learn: How to order groceries and restaurant meals delivered right to your door — safely, simply, and at a price you can see before you pay.
Linda, 78, has mild arthritis in her knees. She still lives independently and loves to cook, but the weekly grocery run had become exhausting — the parking lot walk, pushing a heavy cart, loading bags into the car, then carrying them up the front steps.
Her daughter suggested trying grocery delivery. Linda was nervous. "What if they pick rotten produce? What if someone steals my credit card number? What if I order the wrong thing and can't get a refund?"
Her daughter helped her place the first order. The shopper sent a photo asking "Is this the right size of yogurt?" — which made Linda laugh. Everything arrived in an hour, exactly as ordered. The produce was perfect. The bags were left neatly at her door.
Now Linda uses grocery delivery every week. She spends the time she saves on gardening, reading, and her granddaughter's soccer games. "It has genuinely changed my life," she says. "I don't know why I was so worried."
Delivery apps are completely safe when used from their official sources (the App Store or Google Play). Your payment information is encrypted — it is as secure as shopping online at any major Canadian retailer. You will see the full cost before you confirm any order.
🛒 Part 1: Grocery Delivery Apps
Instacart — The Most Popular in Ontario
What it is: Instacart partners with your local grocery stores (Loblaws, Metro, Costco, FreshCo, and more). A real person — called a personal shopper — goes to the store, picks your items, and delivers them to your door. You can often get same-day delivery.
What Instacart Looks Like
The Instacart app icon is a green shopping cart with an orange carrot. Find it in the Apple App Store (for iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (for Android). It is free to download.
Getting Started with Instacart (Step by Step)
Step 1: Download and Create an Account
Step 2: Placing Your First Order
Groceries: $75.00
Delivery fee: $3.99 (sometimes free for first order!)
Service fee: $5.00
Suggested tip (15%): $11.25
Total: approximately $95
You see all of this before you confirm. There are no hidden surprises.
Instacart shoppers are background-checked. If an item is wrong or missing, you can request a refund through the app in seconds — Instacart's support is very responsive. You can also rate your shopper, which maintains quality.
Other Grocery Options
Walmart Grocery Pickup — Free and Easy
Order online at walmart.ca, choose a pickup time, and drive to your local Walmart. Staff load your groceries into your car — you never need to go inside the store. No delivery fee. Available at most Walmart locations in Ontario.
PC Express (Loblaws Family)
Order online from Loblaws, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore. Choose curbside pickup or home delivery. Your PC Optimum points still apply — earn points on every order.
You are doing great, and your device is safe. You now understand how grocery delivery works — a skill that can save you real time and effort. Take a breath — you are in control.
🍕 Part 2: Food Delivery Apps (Restaurant Meals)
Uber Eats — Order from Local Restaurants
Getting Started with Uber Eats
Delivery Fee: Based on distance — typically $2 to $8
Service Fee: Uber's charge — usually 10–15% of your subtotal
Small Order Fee: Added if your order is under $10 — just order a little more
Surge Pricing: Fees go up during busy times (Friday dinner, bad weather) — order earlier or later to save
Other Food Delivery Apps
| App | Delivery Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DoorDash (red & white logo) | $1.99–$5.99 | Restaurant variety, DashPass members |
| Skip the Dishes 🇨🇦 | $2.99–$6.99 | Canadian chains (Tim Hortons, Swiss Chalet), smaller cities |
| Instacart (green & orange) | $3.99–$7.99 | Groceries, household items |
Skip the Dishes is a Canadian company and often has the best selection in smaller Ontario cities like St. Thomas and Woodstock. All these apps are available in Windsor, London, Kitchener, and surrounding areas.
Before you tap, click, or reply — pause for just 3 seconds:
1. Stop — Do not tap anything yet.
2. Breathe — Take one slow breath.
3. Verify — Did I expect this message? Does the sender look right?
When in doubt, close it and call someone you trust.
💳 Your Payment is Safe
All delivery apps use bank-level encryption for your payment information. Your credit or debit card number is never stored in plain text — it is converted into a secure token. This is the same technology used by major Canadian banks and retailers like Amazon and Hudson's Bay.
You will always see the full cost before you confirm. You can also request a refund through the app if anything is wrong with your order.
Video Lab — Delivery Apps Explained
How to Use Instacart for the First Time
A complete beginner walkthrough of placing your first grocery order on Instacart, including tips for choosing items and delivery instructions.
Watch TutorialsUber Eats Complete Guide for Beginners
Step-by-step walkthrough of using Uber Eats — searching restaurants, placing an order, and tracking your delivery.
Watch TutorialsGrocery Delivery Tips for Seniors
Practical advice for seniors using grocery delivery services — how to get the best produce, communicate with shoppers, and manage your orders.
Watch TutorialsThese links open YouTube search results in a new tab. You can watch as many videos as you like for free without signing in.
📚 New to YouTube? Learn how to spot quality videos and avoid ads
Everything you have learned so far is stored safely. You know both grocery delivery and food delivery — two tools for making daily life easier. You are doing brilliantly.
Practical Exercise: Browse Without Ordering
Your Practice This Week
You are going to explore a delivery app without spending any money. This is just practice — like test-driving a car without buying it.
- Choose ONE app: Instacart (for groceries) or Uber Eats (for restaurants).
- Download the app and create a free account with your email address.
- Browse the available stores or restaurants in your area.
- Add a few items to your cart.
- Go all the way to the checkout screen and look at the full cost breakdown.
- Do NOT tap "Place Order" — this is just practice to see how it all works.
- Notice how clear the costs are. Nothing is hidden.
You explored a delivery app — that is a big step!
Checkbox: ✓ I browsed a delivery app and understand how it works
Quick Check: Test Your Knowledge
1. Before confirming an order on Instacart, when do you see the full cost including fees?
2. You receive the wrong item in your Instacart delivery. What should you do?
3. Which delivery app is a Canadian company often best for smaller Ontario cities like St. Thomas and Woodstock?
Module 10 Progress Checklist
Check off each item as you feel confident with it.
🤝 Need In-Person Help?
Your Local Library
Many libraries offer free tech workshops and one-on-one help sessions.
Connected Canadians
Free one-on-one tech support by phone or video call.
1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors
Free tech training from trained volunteers.
1-844-217-3057
Congratulations — you have completed Module 10!
Fantastic work! You now understand how millions of Canadians get their groceries and meals delivered. There is no pressure to use these apps — but if the day comes when you want to, you are ready. Your payment information is secure, and you are in control of every purchase.
Quick Answers
Yes, when you use the official apps or websites of stores you already know — Walmart.ca, No Frills, or Loblaws. Pay with a credit card (not debit or gift card) so you have fraud protection if something goes wrong.
Download apps only from the Apple App Store. Use apps from grocery stores you recognise — Walmart, Instacart, Loblaws Pick-up & Deliver. Avoid clicking links in emails or texts that offer grocery deals — go directly to the store official app or website.
Contact the store or app customer service. Most major retailers have a satisfaction guarantee and will replace missing items or issue a refund. If you paid by credit card, you can dispute an incorrect charge with your bank.
It is generally safe on official apps from established stores like Walmart or Loblaws, which use secure encrypted payment systems. Never save your card on a site you found through a link in an email.